WCE Rising Stars Invitational (Biggest Surprises)

LAS VEGAS, NV—Despite the plethora of tournaments going on in Las Vegas during the final NCAA allotted evaluation period, Frank Burlison and I ventured down to Coronado High School to check out Ryan Silver’s Rising Stars Invitational. Nathan Biddle, a 6-foot-10 rising sophomore, “wowed” the crowd with his deep shooting touch and athleticism while fellow classmate 6-foot-6 Kevin “KJ” Adams dominated the camp with his lethal combination of length, bounce, and skill.

Nakial Cross (San Diego/St. Augustine)

2020, WF, 6-foot-6, 175 pounds

Cross has improved his ball skills and shot and as a result his stock is skyrocketing this summer

Joel’s Take: Heard some buzz within the West Coast Elite program about the improvements of Cross. Well, after watching him during this event, those claims appear to be true. The rangy wing-type has always had the length and bounce, but the skill set was not evident. However, he showed good ball skills in the open court, an improved looking jump shot, and his motor was running hot.

Kourash Kahn (San Francisco/St. Ignatius)

2021, SG, 6-foot, 165 pounds

Joel’s Take: From the opening tip this kid meant business—and he delivered. He doesn’t possess that ideal lengthy frame, but his skill and moxie are noticeable. He showed a good burst off the dribble, can convert in the lane with either hand, and he can shoot the 3—abeit his shot rotates like the globe.

Langston Love (Cibolo Steele/TX)

2021, SG, 6-foot-4, 180 pounds

Joel’s Take: Love is a chiseled scoring guard who is a terror in transition where he uses his strength, quickness, and a willingness to play through contact to get numerous buckets. He can score from all three levels and he has the length and moxie to be a lock down defender.

Nigel Burris (San Francisco/Stuart Hall)

2021, WF, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds

Joel’s Take: Burris a burly 3/4 who has the frame to play inside and the skill set to play outside. He can knock in the 3-point shot from deep off the catch and he has the body control and athleticism to slash his way to the rim in transition.

Joey Longo (Trabuco Hills)

2021, SG, 6-foot-1, 155 pounds

Joel’s Take: Longo appears ready this season to put his stamp on the Trabuco Hills program who just lost senior standout Chase Anderson to graduation. Longo is an athletic scoring guard who attacks the rim and is an instinctive rebounder. The slashing scorer needs to improve his jump shot to take his game to a new level.

Elijah Seals (Morse)

2019, WF, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds

Joel’s Take: Seals is strongly-built 4-man who knows how to carve out space while operating on the block for the conversion or for snagging rebounds. He can score in transition and shows good body control and strength while scoring at the rim. He is a bit of a ‘tweener at this stage who needs to improve his triple threat game to improve his stock.